Keith Hernandez on Giants' playoff chances

Michael Malone, Special to The Chronicle

Published 4:00 am, Monday, September 7, 2009

Bay Area native Keith Hernandez brings unfiltered wit and wisdom to his role as a Mets announcer, giving fans a reason to smile during an otherwise joyless season for the New Yorkers. Hernandez was born in San Francisco almost 56 years ago - he's happy to note that he shares a birthday with Juan Marichal and Mickey Mantle - and starred in three sports at Capuchino High in San Bruno.

The slick-fielding first baseman hit .296 over a 17-year career, won World Series titles with the Cardinals and Mets and, perhaps most famously, played "Keith Hernandez" on a few episodes of "Seinfeld." An analyst for SportsNet New York who's quick to blast players for not hustling or preening after home runs, Hernandez had a good look at the Giants when they visited Queens last month - and he thinks the team can make a run to the playoffs.

With the Giants opening a homestand today with key games against the Padres, Dodgers and Rockies, Hernandez gives his assessment of how the team looks for the stretch run.

Q: What do you make of the Giants?

Photo: Courtesy Photo

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Keith Hernandez

Keith Hernandez

Photo: Courtesy Photo

Keith Hernandez on Giants' playoff chances

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A: I think they've got good pitching. The pitching is going to have to carry their offense. But you've got a guy like Renteria - he's been there before; he's a clutch player who's gotten big hits in pressure situations. If he can have a terrific month, he can make a big difference with his leadership.

Q:Does it look like a team that can compete in October?

A: Yes. I feel like the division leaders (Dodgers, Cardinals and Phillies) are the teams to beat, but they're right in it. I'm really looking forward to seeing how this unfolds in September and looking forward for the first time in a long time to watching the National League playoffs.

A: I'm not in that clubhouse, but I think Bochy has done a terrific job with this team. This was a team that wasn't picked to do much, and they are having a heck of a year. Lincecum and Cain, they're progressing performance-wise. With Zito having kind of a bounce-back year, they've got a formidable rotation that can get you deep in the game. Their starters can get it to the guys you want to close with, and you don't have to go into your middle bullpen.

Q:Were you a Giants fan growing up?

A: No, I was not. I was a Cardinal and Yankee fan. I was a Mickey Mantle fan; I was born on his birthday. I got my first Mickey Mantle card when I was around 7, and that sold me. I was a Mantle fan my whole life. So I rooted for the Yankees. As far as the Cardinals were concerned, my father played minor-league ball in the Cardinal chain. During World War II, he was based in Pearl Harbor in a ship-repair unit, and played for the Navy baseball team. In 1945, when (Stan) Musial served in the Navy, my dad played on the team with him, and Stan would leave us tickets at Candlestick. We'd get to go in the Cardinal clubhouse after a game. I was 8, 9 years old. Going in the clubhouse a couple times a year - that made me a Cardinal fan.

A: I was a 49ers fan when I was young, but when they traded Y.A. Tittle to the N.Y. Giants, I quit being a 49ers fan. I got back on the bandwagon for those Joe Montana years. I loved the Raiders from their inception, but it's hard to root for them these days.

Q:Do you still have family in the Bay Area?

A: My older brother, Gary. He was an All-America baseball player at Cal, played pro baseball for awhile. He's in San Carlos. He's a State Farm insurance salesman with his office in Burlingame.

Q:How often do you get back?

A: I get back when the Mets come to town. Unfortunately, we only come back once a year now. I may come back in the offseason, but the season is so rigorous, with so much travel. I like to get (home) to Florida and settle in and just kind of relax. I get tired of being on airplanes.

Q:Do you wish you had a chance to play in AT&T Park?

A: Oh, I would've loved to. It's a big park, a pitcher's park. You know, Candlestick was just an abomination. It was just so freezing there and so windy. It was a tough park to play in when it was cold, and it was always cold.